YOUR RIGHTS AS A TAX PAYER
Do you know that you have a right to appeal your tax assessment if you think your property (home, land, car, business, etc.) has been overvalued?
What is the Board of Assessment Appeals?
The Assessment Appeals Board is an independent agency comprised of three elected members of your peers, separate from the Assessor's Office. They operate as an intermediary between the Assessor and the courts.What purpose does the Board serve?
It is designed to provide the taxpayers of Woodbury a means to appeal their property tax assessments in the event they believe the Assessor erred in the valuation of their properties, or mistakenly denied them exemptions.
How does the appeals process work?
The Board meets four times a year. Three days in March and one day in September. The September hearing is for motor vehicles only. After an application is filed with the Assessor's office, between February 1st and 20th, a hearing is scheduled to allow the Taxpayer the opportunity to present evidence upholding his/her opinion of the value of their property. A panel of three Board of Assessment Appeals members will hear the appellant's testimony under oath, review any supporting documents provided and question the participants. The panel then deliberates, reviewing the evidence presented and decides what changes, if any, are justified to the assessment of the property. The appellant is given a written notice of the outcome of his/her appeal within one week of the Boards decision along with information of the owners’ right to appeal the Board’s decision.GENERAL INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE AN APPEAL
IF YOU ARE APPEALING:
REAL ESTATE – Written appraisal of property being appealed is the best defense. Market analysis done by a realtor does not qualify as an appraisal. Only an appraisal completed by a Connecticut certified appraiser will be considered. Documentation supporting a valid reason for the change is critical for the Board to make an informed decision. Please remember that the market value you are appealing is the year of the last revaluation. All data must reflect that time frame.
MOTOR VEHICLES - Please bring a copy of the tax bill for the vehicle that you are appealing. Documentation supporting condition (photos), mileage (odometer statement), mechanical expenses (estimate for repairs) will help the Board in their decisions. All values are based on the October 1st grand list date and are taken from NADA pricing guides.
PERSONAL PROPERTY - Businesses appealing their assessments must submit an itemized list of all furniture, fixtures and equipment, in their possession as of the October 1st grand list, used in the running of their business as well as the purchase price and year acquired on these items. Dissolutions of businesses must provide proper documentation of the same.
ALL of the above require the appellant to fill in their estimate of value on the appeals form. If this amount is not filled in, the Board can refuse to hear the appeal.
If you are not able to appear in person, you may appoint a representative to appear for you by filling out the section of the back of the appeals form.
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